Niamh Shackleton
The family of Jacob Lyon have finally got the closure they've long been searching for ten years after the 19-year-old was reported missing.
Jacob, from Niceville, Florida, was reported missing in February 2016 by his mother after she hadn't seen her son for three months.
It's reported that Jacob had mental health conditions and had been treated at a psychiatric hospital in the months leading up to his disappearance.
The whereabouts of Jacob went unknown for years despite the Niceville Police Department's efforts. They interviewed family members and friend's of Jacob's after he was reported missing, and analyzed the teen's phone — but to no avail.
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Police officers also collected DNA samples from Jacob's family for future comparison and identification.
Fast forward to 2022 and human remains were discovered in Miramar Beach, some 17 miles from Niceville.
The body, which was found in a small wooded lot, has now been confirmed to be that of Jacob's.
The news of Jacob's positive DNA match came through to the Nashville Police Department on January 21.
Addressing the update, Major Dustin Cosson with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said: "Ten years is a long time, but Jacob is home. Jacob’s back.
"His family is able to make a little bit of closure, and it’s our hope that we can continue to get answers."
Cosson went on to say that, obviously, the news that Jacob has passed away was not positive but there was some positive elements to the matter as it's given his family closure.
"Now we have something that we can utilize from evidence to identify possibly what happened," he continued, via Newsweek.
"We don't know right now exactly what happened, but what we do know is that we have a positive confirmation of Jacob Lyons, and that we’ll be continuing the investigation and the partnership."
While it's been a slog to find answers about Jacob's whereabouts, Niceville Police Chief Mark Hayse said that they 'did not give up hope' and were following up on tips about the case as recently as a few months ago.
As their investigation continues, anyone with information on Jacob's death are being urged to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850)-892-8111.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Or, if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.